In the fast-paced and often chaotic world of NBA basketball, collisions are inevitable. But sometimes, it’s not the opposing team that delivers the hardest hit — it’s your own teammate. That was the case during a recent New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics game, when Knicks guard Josh Hart accidentally took a brutal elbow to the face from Celtics big man Luke Kornet during a contested rebound attempt. The incident quickly became a talking point across social media and sports networks due to its sheer awkwardness and the visible impact on Hart.
The play unfolded midway through the second quarter. The Celtics were pushing in transition after a missed shot, and Kornet, known for his hustle and unusual shot-contesting technique, crashed the boards in hopes of tipping the ball in or securing the rebound. Hart, doing what he does best — playing gritty, relentless defense and fighting for every possession — also leapt into the scrum. That’s when the unintentional contact occurred.
As Kornet swung his arms upward to secure the ball, his right elbow connected squarely with Hart’s face. Hart immediately crumpled to the floor, holding his face and clearly shaken up by the blow. The referees halted play as trainers rushed to Hart’s side. He was eventually helped to his feet, wincing and holding a towel to his nose, which appeared to be bleeding.
Replay angles showed just how violent the collision was. While it was clear there was no malicious intent — Kornet didn’t even appear to know Hart was so close to him in that moment — the elbow caught Hart flush on the nose and upper lip area. The Knicks guard was taken to the locker room for further evaluation but remarkably returned to the game in the second half with a small bandage on his face and, as always, his trademark intensity.
In the postgame interview, Hart addressed the incident with his usual mix of honesty and humor.
“I think Luke’s trying to audition for the UFC,” Hart joked. “But seriously, it was just one of those plays. I know he didn’t mean it. That’s just basketball. It hurts, but I’ve had worse.”
Kornet, visibly remorseful, also spoke briefly to reporters.
“I didn’t even realize I hit him until I saw the replay,” he said. “I texted him after the game to make sure he was okay. Josh is tough — I knew he’d bounce back.”
While the Knicks ultimately dropped the game to the Celtics, Hart’s toughness and willingness to return to the court earned him even more respect from fans and teammates alike. Known for his blue-collar mentality and defensive grit, Hart once again showed why he’s considered one of the most valuable role players in the league.
In a league where stars often make headlines for buzzer-beaters and highlight dunks, Josh Hart made his mark on this night the hard way — by taking an accidental shot to the face, bouncing back, and continuing to battle.
